Brazilian Carnaval 2009 at the Hollywood Palladium

Members of the Puerto Rico Carnival of the Caribbean demonstrate their customs at the Palladium during the ninth annual Brazilian Carnaval 2009 in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Ana Massette of Tropidanza sways amid what seems a cloud of feathers.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Dancers’ feet move to the rhythm of the samba.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Vania Stuelp dances the samba with her friend Sri Ram during Brazilian Carnaval 2009.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Cynthia Guedea proudly shows her dress inspired by traditional garb from Bahia, Brazil.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Maracatu dancers from the Viver Brasil company swirl colorfully.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Guests at the Hollywood Palladium get into the samba spirit .  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Getting ready for the show, a drummer wears a symbol of his musical tribe.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Brazilian singer Katia Moraes is transported by the music -- just like her audience.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Lovely dancers from the Tropidanza troupe strut atop daringly high heels.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)